Proposal Development

A key step in seeking external funding for your research is planning and developing your proposal. Research Development Services (RDS) can help you in a variety of ways as you explore, design, and prepare your applications. Our services are designed to meet the unique needs of researchers across disciplines and career stages.

Services for Researchers

  • Grant Planning: Develop a long-term grant strategy with RDS help, creating a clear roadmap for funding for each stage of your career.
  • Funding Searches: Learn to navigate the online funding database (Pivot) with individual training from RDS, and read the weekly OVPRI Funding Opportunities Newsletter to find announcements and opportunities for funding. RDS also can design customized funding searches for individual faculty, students, or units.
  • Navigating Submissions: RDS can help you interpret funding guidelines to develop competitive submission materials based on funder requirements. Our expertise helps researchers submit a strong, persuasive proposal that meets all the review criteria.
  • Proposal Critique: Feedback matters, particularly in the world of grant writing where the style is quite different from academic writing. From simple copy-edits to multiple-iteration reviews, RDS helps ensure grant applications are well organized, clear, and persuasive, and that they directly address a funder’s requirements. We can also review and edit all the ancillary documents that might be needed for submission, such as biographical sketches and facilities documents.
  • Project Management: For large, institutional grants (e.g., centers, graduate training), RDS can support your application by providing a high level of coordination and project management, such as gathering collaborators' materials, tracking proposal components and versions, and coordinating support letters.

Our Proposal Writing Resources page has a wealth of templates, checklists, and other supports to help make the writing process easier.
If you'd like help with any aspect of your planning, funding searches, drafting materials, or other services, please reach out.

This video provides an overview of how to apply for funding at the UO with accompanying script and links to resources.


Additional Resources for Proposal Development

  • Academic Impressions: The subscription service has resources related to grants, specifically “Simplifying the NSF Grant Proposal Process and Setting Yourself up for Success” and “Declined Grant Proposals: Analyze Reviews and Create a Plan for Resubmission”. 
  • Grant Development Timeline: Use this timeline to help you plan your grant proposal development.
  • Requests for Institutional Support: Some grants require support from the institution in the form of matching funds or general investment into services or resources. Find the OVPRI policy and request form on the linked page.
  • Training: RDS provides training on specific funders and opportunities, as well as gathering funder-developed videos and webinars for easy access.

Important Proposal Development Policies and Procedures